Hello again! Thank you to all of you who have left kind reviews, followed, and fave'd. (Guest reviews will be addressed at the end!) It thrills me to know you're enjoying Sabé and her story. Also, a HUGE thank you to my amazing BFF and beta, you are the bombdotcom.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars
"An evacuation order has been announced for the city of Theed and outlying areas. We have not received full confirmation from Royal Naboo Security Force leader Captain Panaka, or Queen Amidala, but it is likely that the Trade Federation blockade may be developing into something far more sinister and dangerous.
Those who are able to leave, please do so immediately. There will be further contact from RNSF leadership as events play out. May the Force be with us all."
- Breaking news bulletin courtesy of Mali Nightbreak
Feathered headdresses are not aerodynamic.
I've had plenty of opportunity to ponder this ever since Padmé and I were ushered into her chambers to perform the decoy switch. The invasion began early this morning; we received reports of a massive droid army approaching from the north, and far too soon saw their transports and battle droids marching through the main streets of Theed.
This is one of the few times in my life that I haven't been hungry at all.
"Remember the plan," Padmé says as she swiftly changes into the flame colored Handmaiden robes from the Inauguration, "Unless I say otherwise, we are staying on Naboo. We are not cowards that run from conflict."
"Padmé, with all due respect, this is slightly more than simple conflict." I hold my arms out to my sides as Rabé drapes me in heavy layers of black silk brocade. She told me this particular outfit is designed to absorb a blaster bolt, but I'd rather not test this ingenuity any time soon. "I don't want to leave any more than you do but the fact remains; we're currently being invaded."
"They have violated every sense of moral decency by doing this," My eyes follow as Padmé paces back and forth. I'm afraid I might topple my headdress if I move my neck too much. "The Trade Federation has been out of control for far too long."
"I suppose we should've listened to you over the years, huh Sabé?" Saché asks, nudging Rabé in the side. "Next thing you know, her theories about Palpatine will be right."
"How can you joke at a time like this?" Yané's hands type furiously away at her datapad. "I have to lock down our central database before any of these Trade Federation ingrates break through the firewalls I put up. Do you know what could happen if they manage to gain access to our codes or secret passageways!?"
"They won't be able to do that," Rabé says, smoothing down the hood circling my face. "You are far too much of a genius for them to ever break through your security measures. Saché, I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe we should leave the humor to Sabé."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Saché and I reply in offended unison. Eirtaé dashes into the room before either of us can add further remarks.
"I've just spoken with Lieutenant Typho, Your Highness. The first legion of battle droids has broken through the main gate." She swallows to cover the shake in her voice. "To avoid capture will be near impossible."
The tension in the room moves from a simmering boil to a cold, paralyzing fear I can feel in my bones. How am I supposed to pull this off? Padmé is the Queen. I'm just a poor imitation. What if I mess up? What if I trip in this ridiculous dress and accidentally swear? She never swears! They'll know I'm a fake immediately!
"If we try the passageway leading from the library we may be able to slip past their forces." Yané points to the location on her holomap. "Then we can rendezvous with Panaka and Typho at the southern entrance of the palace."
"No, that's too risky." Eirtaé begins to pace in a manner similar to Padmé. "We'd have to travel to the other side of the palace to get to the library, which leaves us far too exposed. What if we take the route from behind the painting in the east conference room? That would take us to the docks and we could escape on a hovercraft."
I raise my hand. "I love the idea of escape, but how exactly do you think I'll be able to crawl through that passageway wearing this?" I gesture to my outfit. "No offense, Rabé."
"None taken."
"A hovercraft would have to be fairly large to carry all of us, which means we'd be easy to detect and likely shot out of the water." Saché shakes her head. "We'd be like sitting mynocks on a space cruiser. What if we split up? One team with Typho and the other with Panaka?"
"No, we need to stick together if we're going to appear as a strong, unified presence." Eirtaé states.
"What if I try to slice into one of the main transports they're using and have it swerve into the others? That would cause enough of a distraction for us to make an escape." Yané asks, having dropped her datapad for the time being.
"Yané, how exactly do you expect to get close enough to one of their transports without being shot?"
"Well… we're all rather small, maybe I could─"
"NO." Padmé's stern tone brings our argument to a screeching halt. "I will not have any of you risk your lives unnecessarily." She looks at me with a concerned frown. "Sabé, if they want to legitimize their occupation here they will likely try to force you into signing a treaty of some sort. You know how I would respond to that..."
"Go jump in a black hole?" I add pleasantly, earning an eye roll from her.
"…I mean how the Queen would respond." She sighs before sitting on the side of her bed. "Be ready for anything. I will try to stick as close to you as possible if I need to give you any signals." Her mouth presses into a firm line, as if she is preventing herself from saying more. "I… I am grateful that I have you all with me. It seems unfair to put you through this."
"This is what we trained for, Padmé," Rabé walks away from me and sits beside her on the bed. "None of these circumstances are your fault."
Padmé wipes at her eyes with the back of her hand. "But if I'd done something differently, tried another approach with the Trade Federation perhaps─"
"The Trade Federation is currently being run by a spineless, monkey-lizard named Nute Gunray." I take a few steps towards them and nearly trip. Kriffing skirts, they should be banned! "His actions are his responsibility, not yours. You are strong, you are smart, and you will see us all through this. You don't give up or back down."
Padmé looks at me for a long, quiet moment. I've tried to take advantage of every opportunity I have to further build on her confidence. A small part of me hopes that if I keep doing so, she won't allow any possible future events make her lose her will to live. An image of her heartbroken and unable to raise her children crosses my mind before I can stop it.
"Thank you… all of you." She dries her face with a swatch of fabric Rabé offers her ─ she tends to carry miscellaneous objects with her at all times ─ before rising from the bed. "It won't be long before Captain Panaka arrives. We'd better be ready for when he does."
Panaka barges in five minutes later. "Your Highness, they have broken into the Palace. We need to leave immediately." He glances at Rabé, who is putting the final touches on my makeup, and shakes his head. "Vena's appearance will have to do." He misses the snarling, cross-eyed expression I make in his direction once he turns to Padmé. "Let's go."
I follow behind him, feeling out of sorts as my friends move into formation around me. No wonder Padmé appreciates her alone time so much. She must feel nearly claustrophobic with all of us near her.
I know we're bound to be captured but maybe we can avoid their notice for a while.
It's important to stay positive!
The Trade Federation captures us in an embarrassingly short amount of time ─ thirty minutes to be exact. We were in the process of heading towards the library passage when a group of battle droids and destroyers surrounded us.
Kriffing droids, kriffing Trade Federation…
It's all I can do to focus on not tripping, ("Sabé, the key to walking in this dress is to kick as you step.") while our group is escorted down one of the many flights of stairs in the passageway. To make matters worse, I find myself stuck between Nute Gunray and Governor Bibble while trying to navigate said stairs in the most regal manner possible.
The hunger I didn't feel before has emerged with a vengeance. To say my mood is sour is an understatement.
"How will you explain this invasion to the Senate?" Governor Bibble asks, looking past my headdress to the Neimoidian at my other side. I've also noticed how much people like to talk over the Queen as if she isn't present. If that didn't benefit my disguise, I would be even more agitated than I currently am.
Kick-step. Kick-step. Kick-step. Kick-step. "The Queen and I will sign a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here." Like heck I will ─ or Padmé, rather. "I have assurances it will be ratified by the Senate."
"I will not cooperate." I respond with as much stubbornness as a royal accent will allow. Padmé should be so proud.
"Now, now, Your Highness," If I could punch his throat for his condescension, I would die a happy decoy. "In time, the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view."
All of Padmé's urgings to refuse to dignify the Neimoidian with a look run through my mind. I settle for mentally calling him every foul name in know in Basic, Gunganese, Twi'leki, and Huttese.
I might have taken a few electives in the Academy.
By the time I've worked my way to insults that begin with the letter "E" the Viceroy orders a battle droid to, 'process us,' to a prison camp. I don't know what that is supposed to mean and I'd much rather not find out. Those Jedi better be on time.
We're escorted out the front entrance ─ why, oh why, do we have so many stairs!? ─ and my stomach churns at the sight of so many armored assault tanks and groups of people being led away as prisoners. There are no signs of violence, not even one carbon burn mars the sandstone beneath our feet.
'What a lovely day to invade,' they must have thought.
Our journey through the courtyard goes relatively smoothly, though I long to use the blaster I have concealed within my skirts. I focus on the ground until we cross underneath an archway and I spot the small overpass ahead of us. If my calculations are right, the Jedi and Jar-Jar Binks should appear in three… two…
In a flash of robes and buzzing lightsabers, the Jedi descend from the overpass. Jar-Jar hangs from a ledge, the Gungan having managed to bungle his arrival. I hide my sigh of relief and following look of surprise when Obi-Wan does a jumping split-kick that manages to knock down two droids at once.
That's a nifty trick. Jedi are amazingly nimble.
Jar-Jar falls on his face as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan make swift work of slicing through our battle droid escort. I feel a hand squeeze the back of my arm ─ Padmé, if I'm not mistaken ─ and continue to watch their effective lightsaber strokes in something akin to awe.
As I contemplate how I can get my hands on my own lightsaber, the droids fall to pieces around us and Qui-Gon addresses me directly. "We should leave the street, Your Highness."
"Get their weapons," Panaka orders while Governor Bibble ushers me away with a hand on my back. I try in vain to turn my head back and see any sort of signal from Padmé. Have I mentioned this headdress is annoying?
"Whoa! Yousa guys bombad!" I can picture Saché's excitement without even looking at her. She's always wanted to meet a Gungan, though Jar-Jar stands apart from the majority.
We move into a shaded alcove and Qui-Gon turns towards me again. He, unlike many I've dealt with while playing decoy, has a respectful mannerism of looking at me directly, instead of over me. It's refreshing, really. "We're ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor."
"Your negotiations seemed to have failed, Ambassador." Governor Bibble is, typically, a well-mannered gentleman, which makes his sarcasm oddly humorous. I feel Padmé pushing forward to reach my side, which is more comforting than I can describe.
"The negotiations never took place." I glance to my left and catch her and Obi-Wan in my peripheral. Hmm… he's even cuter in person than I remember from the movie ─ but now is not the time to be distracted. "It's urgent that we make contact with the Republic."
"They've knocked out all our communications." Panaka adds, sounding as annoyed as I have felt for the past few hours.
"Do you have transports?"
"In the main hanger ─ this way,"
I charge forward, under the protective arm of Governor Bibble once more. Qui-Gon has a much longer gait than the majority of us and I ignore Rabé skirts etiquette for once by slightly lifting them. She can hurt me later.
The main hangar is a short distance away, thankfully, which means we're that much closer to breaking away from this nonsense. I can practically taste the freedom!
It should be easy from this point onward.
What could possibly go wrong?
I spoke too soon.
Not only did our walk to the hangar nearly result in three explicit words from my mouth, a blasted AAT decided to hover across our pathway. This led to a spectacular display of cannon fire, methodical deflecting with lightsabers, Jar-Jar cowering in fear behind Eirtaé, and a resounding explosion that caused a separation in our group.
I'm currently following Obi-Wan down a back alley and loathing my general existence.
"Are you certain this will lead us to the hangar, Your Highness?" I try not to bristle. His question is legitimate but I know my home well enough, thank you very much.
"Yes. It is not much further, Jedi Kenobi." Be polite, Sabé, be polite. What would Padmé do? "If we continue along this path, we should rendezvous with the rest of the group shortly."
He turns back to me, eyebrow raised. "Forgive any impertinence on my part, Your Majesty, but I don't recall giving any formal introductions?"
Oh kriff. He hasn't told me his name yet! I might as well broadcast all of my secrets over a megaphone… wait, do we have megaphones here?
What would Padmé do?
"As Queen," I reply in the most formal, authoritative tone I can muster. "It is my duty to be knowledgeable, not just sitting on a throne while wearing a fancy headdress."
His other eyebrow raises and I can detect a hint of a smile before he says: "Of course, Your Majesty ─ my mistake."
I suspect he's laughing at me.
He pauses at a corner to peek around it before motioning with his hand for me to follow. I bite back the urge to say, 'As if I'd turn around!' and settle for calming, meditative thoughts instead. (We're almost there, we're almost there, we're almost there…)
As I catch up with him he comes to a screeching halt. I narrowly avoid colliding with his back. "There is a group of battle droids up ahead. I suggest you take cover while I dispose of them."
If only I could use my blaster! "I will remain hidden, Jedi Kenobi."
He barely acknowledges my response before rushing forward; leaving me alone long enough to let out a torrent of words I've kept back for the past hour. My mother would be appalled at this habit I've developed ─ especially in the guise of the Queen.
When the sounds of blasters firing, swooping lightsabers, and squealing droids end, I emerge from my hiding place, only to discover multiple parts strewn across the road. Obi-Wan disengages his weapon and joins me at my side. "I sense a greater threat to the east of us. We must hurry."
I sense a greater danger to his well being if he keeps ordering me around. "If we follow this alleyway to the right, we will reach the entrance of the hangar."
The rumbling of another AAT in the distance causes us to break into a sprint ─ or at the very least, an attempt on my part ─ and I begin to wonder if Obi-Wan is hiding annoyance behind a concentrated mask. I'd like to see him run in heels.
The rest of our group waits at the hangar entrance. I can see all of my friends visibly relaxing and try not to step back when Governor Bibble ushers me under his arm once more. I've been manhandled far too much for one standard day. "Your Highness, we feared the worst!"
"All is well, Governor. Jedi Kenobi dispatched our enemies efficiently," And questioned my directional skills too much, "I am glad to see you are all safe."
Eirtaé blinks at me three times: "Status?"
I wiggle the fingers of my right hand: "Unharmed."
As we gather by the partially opened hangar doors, Panaka and Qui-Gon peek inside. Padmé, once again, squeezes my arm. I'm going to have bruises at this rate.
"There are too many of them."
"That won't be a problem." Qui-Gon, who is quickly becoming my favorite of the two Jedi, turns to me once more. "Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to Coruscant with us."
I fully agree, but until I have Padmé's word otherwise: "Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is with my people."
"They will kill you if you stay."
"They wouldn't dare!" Bibble sounds, rightfully, irate. I appreciate him much more than I did earlier.
"They need her to sign a treaty to make this invasion legal. They can't afford to kill her." As always, I can count on Panaka to be wonderfully pragmatic. How does Padmé do this job?
"There is something else behind all this, Your Highness." Yes, Qui-Gon, it's a Sith Lord. Perhaps you know him? Horrid man, shoots lightning from his fingertips, has a distinct cackle. "There's no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you."
"Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us. Senator Palpatine will need your help."
"Either choice presents great danger…" I turn my head towards Padmé, urging her silently to listen to reason. My eyes widen ever so slightly. "…To us all."
"We are brave, Your Highness." Yes. That's exactly the permission I need. Have I mentioned I love Padmé?
"If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now."
"Then I will plead our case to the Senate." Also, I will hopefully not have to say much at all for the foreseeable future. Thank goodness. I glance at Bibble, knowing he will be in great danger as these events play out. "Be careful, Governor."
Saché clears her throat behind me and we turn to her. "Your Highness, I would like to stay behind and assist Governor Bibble." No, no, no… how could I have forgotten not all of us are able to leave.
"I as well, My Lady." Yané speaks up for the first time since we were captured. "My skills could be of use."
I stare incredulously at both of them, before shooting Padmé a look. Her mouth is pressed into a thin line, but her slow blink assures me of her answer. "If that is what you wish. Be careful."
My heart clenches when they step away from our cluster and take point on each side of Governor Bibble. I know they are supposed to make it out of this alive. Having this knowledge, however, doesn't make my emotions any calmer.
If they die, I'll kill them.
From meangreenmachineataverna to SVRHMatRNSF 0612 GST
Subject: Be careful
"I know you won't listen but don't worry about me. We're hiding with a group from the Royal House of Learning. One of the girls has a plan to take on any battle droids that might come our way. I might even get to shoot a blaster.
Please be careful. You're probably right in the midst of this. I only have one sister and I'd like to see her again soon.
XOXO HA, expert droid dismantler "
- Message from civilian contact Halleth Averna to Royal Handmaiden Sabé Vena
Thus far, the only benefit I can find from being strapped down to a throne while flying through Naboo's atmosphere at full speed is this: it's only Padmé, Rabé, Eirtaé and I in the throne room. I can be as vocal as I want.
"Kriffing Trade Federation─I hate them so much─who is piloting this Force-cursed ship!?"
I can hear Rabé's whimper from my left as the ship begins to shake from the barrage of blaster fire. We must be approaching the blockade.
"Calm down, Sabé!" Eirtaé hisses, looking rather green. "Someone may hear you!"
"Padmé, if you only swore more my job would be so much easier!"
"I'll take that under advisement."
The ship swoops to the left and lights begin to flash red as an alarm goes off. Eirtaé makes a retching noise. "Oh for heaven's sake─"
"What is that alarm for!?" Rabé demands, eyes wide in terror.
"It's probably the shield generator." I answer. The ship jerks even more violently, which causes me to bite my tongue. My following curses should've stripped the paint from the walls.
"Sabé!" How Eirtaé manages to reprimand me while space-sick is a mystery.
"I'm sorry! I can't help myself at the moment!"
Seconds later, which feels more like hours to me, the alarms subside and the ship's flying levels out. The harness across my chest retracts and I can breathe freely. I bend forward and let my face rest against my knees. "Is everyone okay?"
"I'm going to be sick." Eirtaé moans. At this rate, I might be joining her. If only I'd eaten a biscuit this morning.
"I don't want to ever do that again." Rabé's voice shakes. "Ever, ever, ever."
"Sit up, Sabé, before anyone walks in!"
"Just give me a moment, Padmé. Even the Queen is allowed to rest, right?"
"You'd be surprised…" she mumbles under her breath. I count to five before sitting up. The three girls with me are all in various states of dishevelment. Eirtaé is clutching her head, Rabé has her hood down, and Padmé stands on shaky legs.
As the stress of the morning begins to sink in, I find myself quivering with silent laughter. Eirtaé looks at me, then double takes when she sees the state I'm in. "I think she's having a nervous breakdown."
"It's just so funny!" I clutch my sides as my laughter turns to cackling. "Did you see the split-kick the Jedi kept using? Even you can't do that and you're the flexible one!"
"Sabé, that's not funny." Her chastising tone only makes me laugh harder. "If anyone sees you like this, they'll think Queen Amidala has lost her mind."
"I wonder if he could teach us how to do that!?"
The three girls look at each other as I slide further down the throne, tears freely streaming down my cheeks. Rabé is the first to crack. Our loud laughter fills the room.
"Honestly, you two." Padmé shakes her head in bemusement. I point my finger at Eirtaé, who is biting her lip in a valiant attempt to remain poised.
"I see─I see that smirk, Eirtaé!"
"I don't know what you're talking ab─" She splutters, leaning forward and covering her face with her hands. Her shoulders begin to shake. "Sabé, you're ridiculous."
One teary-eyed look from me is the key to breaking Padmé's composure. She flops down onto the bench and giggles more than I've heard in months. This, of course, makes me laugh even harder.
"I wonder─if they─practice those splits─at the Jedi temple!"
When Panaka eventually enters the throne room, he is greeted by the sight of Rabé on the ground, Padmé and Eirtaé leaning on each other, and myself hanging halfway off of the throne.
"What in the galaxy is going on in here? The Jedi will be here any minute!" By the time Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan enter the throne room, we are the picture of poise and diplomacy.
What they don't know won't hurt them, right?
To noodlequeen: Thank you so much! Your review made my day! I hope you'll continue to enjoy Sabé's story as it moves along. :) (Cute username, by the way.)
To Mari: Thank you! Sabé will certainly have plenty of opportunity to try. :)
Fun fact: Sabé and Obi-Wan do get separated from the group in the Phantom Menace video game. I just took some liberties. Thank you all for reading and please feel free to leave a review. Next up: everyone's favorite astromech droid, revenge, and further hilarity.
P.S. Can anyone guess the meaning of the chapter title?